Receive the latest local updates in your inbox

Report of Falling Object Sparks Massive Search in NY Waters

The Coast Guard was dispatched to search the waters of Atlantic Beach on Long Island after reports of a either a person or an object falling from the sky. Wale Aliyu reports. (Published Friday, Aug. 31, 2018)

What to Know

Reports of a mysterious falling object from the sky off Long Island, near JFK Airport, sparked an intensive air and water search

The object turned out to be two Mylar balloons, which were eventually spotted by aviation units

The 45-minute search is estimated to have cost thousands of dollars

The Coast Guard was dispatched to search the waters of Atlantic Beach on Long Island after they got a report of a either a person or an object falling from the sky Thursday evening.

The mysterious falling object turned out to be two Mylar balloons, according to officials.

"We're looking for a debris, looking for a parachute; in the case of a boat fire, we are looking for smoke," said Alianakian.

Nassau County police marine and aviation units and Long Beach police assisted in the search, and after about 45 minutes, aviation units found two Mylar balloons floating in the water, one green and one blue.